The Truth About Backyard Dog Breeders

Recent media exposure on the horrific conditions of puppy mills has led to widespread public awareness, but far less attention has been paid to the practice of backyard breeding. The truth is, backyard breeders are one of the leading causes of shelter overpopulation, often leading to the mass euthanasia of these unwanted pets.

A backyard breeder can have any number of reasons for producing litters. Some backyard breeders are attracted by the idea of “easy money” after seeing how much legitimate breeders charge for pups. Others mistakenly believe that every dog needs to produce at least one litter in their lifetime to truly feel fulfilled. Perhaps the most common reason is the one with the greatest of intentions: the loving owners of a family pet feel that their dog is so wonderful and so loved by everyone who meets it that they should produce litters of its offspring. That way, everyone could enjoy a pet as fantastic as theirs!

Unlike puppy mill owners, who operate high-volume breeding programs in squalid living conditions, the term “backyard breeder” (or “BYB”) can apply to any number of situations. Some backyard breeders, particularly the ones operating under the goal of financial gain, share similar characteristics with puppy mill owners. They may produce high volumes of litters, generally of many different breeds, or the pups may be kept in sub-standard living conditions such as rows of small or dirty cages.

However, other backyard breeders can be difficult to spot or may seem harmless, breeding only a litter or two and keeping the puppies indoors in the family home. Perhaps both parents are even on-site and you’re welcomed in to meet them and see the area in which the puppies are raised. When you’re greeted at the door by a family pet with tail wagging and presented with a clean and spacious living area in which to meet the pups, it can be difficult to imagine that you might be dealing with a backyard breeder – the truth is, most backyard breeders have only the best of intentions and don’t even realize that they’re doing anything wrong.

So what is the harm in backyard breeding? Well for starters, legitimate breeders have years of experience and knowledge in raising their chosen breed. They have some working knowledge of genetics and are able to breed for desirable qualities while reducing unwanted traits. A legitimate breeder also has health records of multiple generations of dogs and can carefully screen for the possibility of serious genetic problems such as hip dysplasia.

A backyard breeder, on the other hand, usually only knows the history of their own dog and will make assumptions based on what they know. However, there may have been a genetic predisposition toward hip dysplasia in her dog’s line that she is unaware of. Because backyard breeders lack information regarding the traits of previous generations, puppies often have health problems that can cost new owners thousands of dollars to deal with – or worse, temperament problems that lead to the dog being abandoned at a shelter or even euthanized.

Backyard breeders also produce litters without any thought as to where the pups will be placed – or whether there is even a demand for them. Legitimate breeders, on the other hand, never produce a litter until potential buyers have been screened and a deposit has been paid to ensure that all of their puppies will go to appropriate homes. Most reputable breeders will also restrict breeding rights, asking buyers to sign a contract to ensure that they will not breed their pups, thus contributing to overpopulation or the production of litters that do not meet breed standards. Many will even offer a partial refund to buyers who provide a spay/neuter certificate from their veterinarian.

So how can you ensure that you’re not dealing with a backyard breeder? Of course, I would always recommend that prospective dog owners adopt a dog or puppy from their local animal shelter – there are so many pets in need, waiting for their “forever homes”, and many shelters are home to even purebred pups. There are even multiple dog rescues devoted to specific breeds. However, if you have your heart set on purchasing your new pup from a breeder, keep the following tips in mind:

1) Reputable breeders do not place ads in newspapers or on Kijiji. Demand for a puppy from one of their litters is high and they will sell out before their dogs are even bred. Make a deposit early!

2) Ask why the puppy is available. Remember – reputable breeders do not breed their dogs until they have enough demand for a litter. However, occasionally a buyer may back out at the last minute, or a litter may be larger than expected.

3) Ask how many litters are produced each year. Most reputable breeders will not produce more than one or two litters per year. A higher answer than that should raise warning flags.

4) How many different breeds does the breeder work with? It takes a lot of experience and training to become an expert in any breed. Some breeders may work with two similar breeds, but again, more than two breeds may indicate a backyard breeder or a puppy mill.

5) Ask what steps are taken to ensure the puppy is healthy. Backyard breeders will often provide the first set of shots and nothing more. A reputable breeder has health records for the parents, has taken the mother for ultrasounds, and will offer a health guarantee.

6) Finally, remember that a backyard breeder wants to make a sale, and a legitimate breeder wants to make the right sale. Don’t be put off by pre-screening – this is a good sign.

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Thanks AJ for the article. You have many valid points but it seems to me that you are being a bit snobbish with your view. Do you think that all “reputable” breeders just magically appeared on the scene one day with a good reputation and references? Of course not, initially they had to advertise their services. The first puppies that they sold might have even been an “accident”. In fact many “reputable” breeders start out as backyard breeders. It is there love and dedication to the breed that eventually raises them to the top of their field and gets them that coveted “reputable status.

http://www.puplove.ca AJ McDowell

Thanks for taking the time to read my article and comment, James! It wasn’t my intention to appear “snobbish”, just to point out the harsh reality that even with the best of intentions, backyard breeders are one of the leading causes of shelter overpopulation.

I’m sure that some breeders do start out “accidentally” or by advertising their first few litters. However, many of the most reputable breeders did not accidentally find themselves in the field. Through their love of the breed, they entered their own dogs into competition and agility trials, learned from mentors, and gained a solid understanding of their chosen breed and the requirements for meeting breed standards.

I’m not saying that it’s impossible for a backyard breeder to eventually develop into a reputable breeder, but what happens to those first half a dozen litters who DO have health or temperament issues? It’s irresponsible to breed a litter of pups without first knowing that you’re not passing on any hereditary problems or having suitable homes to place the puppies into. Instead of loving a breed and committing to the improvement of it’s genetics, unknowledgeable breeders are instead contributing to health & temperament issues and mass euthanasia.

Dawn Glastetter

A.J. I would like to know how many litter of puppies you have raised and how much experience you have had with breeding dogs in general. It seems to me that you know nothing about what makes a good breeder. I know what a back yard breeder is and it is nothing that you have described. The only difference between a puppy mill and a BYB is volume. The term back yard breeder refers to someone who breeds dogs in their backyard meaning that their dogs ARE NOT family pets. The breeders you are describing would be hobby breeders and they are probably the most caring and responsible of all of the breeders. For instance most hobby breeders or breeders who raise family pets have contracts that if the new owner cannot keep the puppy it has to be returned to them. I really think you need to do your homework before posting things like this.

collette

Wow AJ, so now you’re an expert? What personal experience or professional training has brought you to collect all of this data? Your so-called guidelines are nothing more than scripted propoganda from groups like the HSUS, PETA & ASPCA.
Most people don’t fall for this ’emotional’ information anymore, and are waking up to realize the truth finally. Your article is obviously injected with Animal Rights propoganda. I’ve lived in a big city, and for the life of me, I just never saw a lot of dogs roaming the streets that were homeless that people like yourself, want everyone to believe. The shelters used to have low numbers until they realized what a market it was once you played the ’emotional’ card and convinced people that the dogs were abused. Is that why they are flying canines in from 3rd world countries by the planefulls, complete with diseases that harm our own animals here in the States? If there was so many ‘homeless’ shelter dogs, why fly them in by the droves from other countries?
By the way, when is the last time anyone tried to ‘adopt’ a dog? You can adopt a human easier than the Animal Rights ‘red tape’ nonsense! If they really wanted to see these dogs go to homes instead of euthanizing them, they’d let them go to homes. Example: Family filled out a ‘pamphlet’ to try and adopt a Beagle. Beagle responded well with family, vice versa, however, upon evaluation, they were denied. Why? Because the family was planning on keeping him outside periodically. Complete with fenced in yard AND dog house! Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t dogs equipped to withstand some outside elements? They weren’t even planning on keeping him outside for long periods at a time! Beagle probably got euthanized instead. If they’re there too long, they take up valuable space for a ‘cuter’ dog that may bring in some ‘adoption’ $$$$$

http://www.puplove.ca AJ McDowell

Hello Collette –

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my article, although it was more about the problems with backyard breeding than it was about animal rescue or abused animals. However, since your concerns pertain to shelters, let me respond to those comments directly.

I can assure you that I’m not affiliated with any of the organizations that you listed, and while I never claimed to be an “expert”, I do have both personal and professional experience pertaining to the subject matter. I first began working with dogs over 12 years ago, when I spent more than 5 years as a volunteer at an animal shelter. In my experience, many of the dogs that were surrendered to our shelter did have health or temperament issues, and a handful of them at any given time had lived with abuse. The animal shelter that I worked for was a no-kill shelter, so there wouldn’t have been any animals that were euthanized because they had been there “too long”, but there were numerous occasions that we did have to turn surrenders away because there was simply not enough space. I, myself, signed off on many adoption contracts in my time there, so I am speaking from experience when I say that animals can be – and are – adopted from shelters daily.

On top of that, I am currently training to be a dog obedience trainer. Part of my training has included learning basic veterinary issues, ethology of dogs, breed information, testing and selection of puppies, temperament evaluation, and information about breeders and puppy mills. I’m sorry that you feel my article reads as “propaganda”, but I would be happy to direct you to information about backyard breeders or data on pet overpopulation that can be found on websites outside of the HSUS, PETA, ASPCA type groups if you would like.

jamie hale

Everyone does have to start evrywhere, but a big part of being a responsible breeder includes screening your own dogs and their ancestors for both temperament and health issues. It is undeniable that many if not most people who are producing litters haven’t had their dogs evaluated, x rayed, etc. And more often than not (and very sadly) dogs are bred for their looks. I believe that only perfect specimens of a breed should be chosen to pass on their traits, and they should closely conform to breed standards. That’s not to say that irresponsibly bred puppies are always bad animals, but there are absolutely too many being born and too many have issues. Its hard to see wonderful dogs being euthanized because supply is higher than demand. It is an emotional subject, of course people will and should respond emotionally. And that’s why I have 4 shelter pit bulls who all have issues (and also why I’m laying on a tiny corner of my couch while my dogs are stretched out comfortably)

I say… good for you for speaking your mind aj on a controversial topic.

http://www.puplove.ca AJ McDowell

Thanks for your input, Jamie. I’m glad you enjoyed my article, and I agree with you 100% – people will respond emotionally to controversial or emotional subjects. I applaud you for choosing to adopt (4 times!), and especially for adopting dogs with issues that may have otherwise been put down.

collette

How about this article? Gee, it goes right along with my comment I posted about a month ago.

People should educate themselves, before they try and spread more decepetive theories that contain no truths. Can’t argue with facts when they are all around us.

Breeding companion pets for families are not the problem, however, flooding our shelters with diseased ridden animals from other countries IS the problem.

Read up folks!!… More and more Americans are realizing that the comments by A.J. are not truths, and are nothing more than the standard same ole, same ole by the Animal Rights movement… just in a ‘nicer’ form.

Read from the link below, and then read again!… INFORM yourself, don’t let people like A.J. educate you. She is just passing on information that she ‘thinks’ is the truth!… It’s FALSE and MISLEADING!

Sara

AJ, great article.. Would you mind if we published this on our website?

Mary

I am fed up with people that only get a dog, to breed it & make money. This is a person’s 3rd dog in 51/2 yrs. Never take it for a walk or play or love it. Always left alone in a cage to cry most of the time. Dogs need love & caring. It breaks my heart & I wish there was something I could do about it. ???

Buddy Rescue Foundation

Hi Collette–Not sure what big city you live in, but your comment “I’ve lived in a big city, and for the life of me, I just never saw a lot of dogs roaming the streets that were homeless that people like yourself, want everyone to believe.” That’s because strays are trying to survive and are quite crafty at remaining under the radar to avoid being picked up by animal control–they are probably in neighborhoods you wouldn’t frequent. But they are eventually captured and housed in shelters. Rescue groups are out there trying to save as many as possible every day, looking at the “URGENT-TO BE EUTHANIZED TODAY” lists that are published every day on email and Facebook by city shelters. The Manhattan and Brooklyn shelter lists show pictures of hundreds of dogs daily that were picked up or turned in as strays. The Orange County Calif. shelter posts their URGENT lists as well. There are countless rescue groups scrambling everyday to save as many as they can. We have saved many but not enough. And the worst part of all this are the “REST IN PEACE” lists that circulate later–the dogs that could not be saved and were euthanized that day. I’d urge you to look a little deeper, visit a shelter in your city. I’d be happy to help you and research the situation in your city to see how you and others can help. Sure, statistics are published that support both sides of the argument–but the statistics I see, where many healthy puppies and dogs are euthanized everyday due to overcrowding at shelters are the statistics that tell the real story. Backyard breeders do create excess animals in the system, there is no denying that–for every dog bred that finds a home, there is one less home for a shelter dog. And many bred dogs end up in shelters as well–just talk to anyone at the thousands of breed rescue groups across the country that take purebreds out of shelters to find homes for them. Please friend us on Facebook at buddyrescue and look at our wall–look into the eyes of the many dogs that are posted to our wall everyday by other rescues in a desperate attempt to find someone to adopt or foster a dog located at some shelter across the country so it can be saved. These animals are not from other countries–they are “Made in the USA”…and they are euthanized here as well. The Buddy Rescue Foundation

Jennifer

Seeing as how most people blame show breeders for many of the medical and behavioral problems in breeds now and in fact show breeders are more accused than backyard breeders of placing a high value on appearance.., this seems to be at the height of snobbery, and an effort by show breeders to control a breed. The only respectable reason for Breeding dogs is to breed them to suit their purpose. what is the purpose of a dog today? To perform work or companionship… Who is breeding them for that purpose? Throughout history.. The backyard breeder

brian

I agree with collette. Every pitbull Ive ever owned was from a backyard breeder that actually has a very good bloodline. I hear everyone saying adopt from a shelter. Dont support backyard breeders. First off, When I buy a puppy, I know that I am the only one training and influencing this dogs behavior. This way I can trust the dog around my kids and other animals. Besides, have you seen the adoption prices at some of these rescues/shelters? Ridiculous. That alone is the reason for all of the shelter overpopulation and dogs being euthenized. $250-$300 is way way too much for a dog that has been discarded by at least one owner already. I pay $200 for a puppy and I know what I am getting. Granted the shelters usually spay/neuter the dog but not knowing where or with who the dog has been is worth getting it done myself with a voucher that reduces the cost.

Dawn Glastetter

What people do not know is that shelters get paid to put dogs down. It is a racket. They say they charge the adoption fee to cover the vet bills when in reality they do not pay vet bills. If a dog gets sick or needs medical attention they automatically get euthanized. As for the spay and neuters they have done they get huge discounts by vets and a lot of the time vets actually donate their services so they pay nothing. The money to build and run the shelters as well as most of the food and supplies gets donated by people in the community. It is a racket!!!!

KatieFrmKaty

you are so horribly incorrect. I know of several shelters here in the area that rehabilitate dogs fighting parvo, or mange, or distemper, or heartworms. MANY places won’t even send a dog to foster until it is healthy, unless the foster is experienced in working with dogs who need medical care. I am sure there may be the random shady shelter in it for the donations as profit, but that is definitely more rare than the legitimate ones.

KatieFrmKaty

you are so horribly incorrect. I know of several shelters here in the area that rehabilitate dogs fighting parvo, or mange, or distemper, or heartworms. MANY places won’t even send a dog to foster until it is healthy, unless the foster is experienced in working with dogs who need medical care. I am sure there may be the random shady shelter in it for the donations as profit, but that is definitely more rare than the legitimate ones.

KatieFrmKaty

There are PLENTY of puppies born in shelters that have yet to be influenced by outside sources.

animal monday

The fact of the matter is that genetic inheritance influences the health of a dog to a great degree, and backyard breeders simply do not have the information they need (i.e., the genetic history of the breeding pair) to make a sound decision as to whether those two individual dogs should be bred or not. This is fact, not snobbishness, not conjecture, not “I bought from a BYB once and didn’t have any problems” (a silly way of reasoning that proves nothing). We just purchased a well-bred male purebred IG from a legitimate, knowledgeable breeder–the pup is very sound and healthy-and also rescued a female of the same breed who was bred by a BYB. The female has just been diagnosed with luxating patellas (costing thousands in surgery to fix), because her breeder knew nothing about the genetic inheritance of the condition and/or didn’t care, just wanted a few extra bucks from having her own dog produce a litter. We adopted her knowing she would come with likely inherited medical conditions due to her BYB origin, so she is heavily medically insured (although we’ll have to pay for the luxating patellas ourselves, as it is pre-existing). BYB-bred dogs simply have a much greater chance of becoming injured or sickly due to inherited “bad genetics.” I don’t give a hoot about anything but the health of the puppy–we don’t show our dogs and poor conformation doesn’t bother us–but I DO care that our puppy will suffer pain and a long convalescence due to the ignorance of the woman who bred her. And you should care too–as all purebred dogs can suffer from inherited illnesses and conditions, so all backyard breeders who don’t know the genetic lineage of their own pets and don’t understand the genetics of disease inheritance WILL inevitably produce less healthy dogs than a knowledgeable show or hobby breeder. This is also a good argument for adopting a mix-breed dog, of course. We have a mix ourselves, and love her equally.

fearnot

taking the mother for ultrasounds is some how indicative a a good breeder? you need to do some research before you make comments like that

http://www.cristobalgalindo.com/ Cristóbal Galindo

Can I translate this to spanish and repost it in my own blog? There’s an ongoing problem in my area about people doing this and I think this is accurate and would like to share it but translated to spanish (most people doesn’t read english around here)

Warm Regards.

HoundBreeder;)

Hello! I’m not trying to be rude but instead of worrying about people breeding mutts for companions, people need to focus on puppy mills and the BAD breeders. I have many friends who spend tons of money to keep their pregnant dogs in good shape (vets,bathing, warm bedding, good food) but they are bashed because they breed mutts! I solely believe that some BYB’s are good! Please don’t hate me when I say that animals rights activists are focusing too much on a problem that isn’t very big

Don’t get me wrong, irresponsible BYB’s are bad but not the ones breeding for companions. How is it any fair to bash someone because they are “adding to the overpopulated shelters” when they didn’t put the dog there?

AtlasFan

An average of less than 10 percent of puppies born stay in the same home forever/the duration of their lives. That’s less than 1 out of every 10 born puppies. The rest will end up rehomed or in shelters at some point, even though many folks believe they found wonderful homes after the puppies are weaned. Statistically, they ARE adding to the problem. Shelter dogs don’t end up there just because they felt like it.

Tom M!!

And people who purchase dogs from shelters often end up with pets with behavioral problems. People see the sad faces and talk themselves into it. Often it doesn’t work out and the dog gets adopted again and again. Personally I believe your better to research the breeds and find whats right for you. This avoids getting in over your head with a dog that does not suit your lifestyle or family. Whether you pay top dollar for a dog with papers, or you get it from a BYB, you should have the common sense to research and know the traits of the breed. I got my Pyrenees Mountain dog from a nice lady with a farm…. not a puppy mill. She has had 4 litters and this was her last. She was very forward about returning the dog if we ever felt we couldn’t take care of it. Shes has had 1 puppy returned to her out of 21 and it found a home just down the road with a lady who just lost her adult dog of the same breed. Some home breeders are good people who love dogs and accept the responsibility of being breeders. Some registered breeders are just in it for money. No one group of people is any better or worse than the other. Saying BYB are causing an increase shelter dogs is just wrong. People who buy dogs without accepting the commitment of pet ownership are causing the issue. Besides, I don’t have the money for a $1000 dog with papers. I paid $100 for Murphy and I’d do it again. Just cause I cant afford a dog with “pedigree” doesn’t mean I’m a bad dog owner. Often, its the people with the money that turn out to be poor pet owners. One last thing…. I would never speak out against getting a shelter dog. It’s one of the kindest things a dog lover can do in his or her lifetime. My wife and I looked in all the local shelters for months for a dog that was of our preferred breeds. It was hard to see all those sad faces but in the end we gave a wonderful dog a loving, permanent home, and thats what counts!

christina

honestly I have a shelter “mutt” and yes he did have a lot of issues when I first got him because he went stir crazy sitting In a shelter kennel for half his life but all it took was training and consistency and he’s a GREAT dog now. I’d never trade him for the world. breeders AND owners have a big responsibility. these animals depend on their humans to give them a good life, stay consistent, and lead/teach them. Most shelter dogs that come in no one even knows what their background or breed line even is. it’s not like they DNA test them when their there. My dog was listed under a pit/pointer mix .. He’s most likely not either, just like most of the other dogs in there so you never really know what you’re taking home. but it CAN definitely work with consistency “most” of the time.

KatieFrmKaty

It also depends on if you get them from a place like the pound or from a rescue organization. Many rescues specialize in a particular breed, do health screenings, test the dog’s interactions with different types of people and animals, and if the dog has been fostered, the fosters will know a lot about the animal’s behavior and temperament.

KatieFrmKaty

I should also add that a lot of them offer training class (at least here in Houston a few of them do), and like Christina said, training and consistency go a very long way. Helped my rescue immensely.

Brandon Braddy

Doesnt that mean the responsibility lies on the individual dog owner and not the breeder at all?

AtlasFan

There’s definitely a huge burden of responsibility on the owners as well – however, it’s hard to screen good homes when your goal is profit and production.

Brandon Braddy

Thats true, its almost impossible to to perfectly screen potential buyers…so the best thing I can do is stress the importance of msking the right decision on whether or not to get a pet in the fist place

KatieFrmKaty

It is also a matter of supply and demand. If more and more people rescue and adopt, then there is less demand for the BYB’s to breed. There would, inevitably, be a period of overlap, but if people are getting dogs from shelters then dogs given up by BYBs because they couldn’t sell them would hopefully get adopted. Hopefully, that period would not be too long, but people will forever be greedy.

Tracy

Biggest bunch of crap ever. Stop paying for dogs under any circumstance and this whole big stupid mess ends period. The only people breeding will be the ones doing it for a freaking hobby and the ones doing it for profit, well uhhhh There aint no profit. The only reason breeders have dogs for sale is because they DONT WANT THE FREAKIN DOG!

Brandon Braddy

You do realize that you have to pay for shelter dogs…dont you? Your argument would all dogs from getting homes

Maddiesmomma

I hate the term “backyard” breeder. It “assumes” anyone breeding dogs at home, is a “backyard” breeder. While many reputable breeders do have beautiful kennels…I prefer home-bred dogs. I want puppies raised around the sights and sounds of a home, around the other pets, and around family. Does that mean the breeding may have “technically” taken place in the “backyard”. Hell, yes. Does that make the breeder a “backyard” breeder? No. It simply means they share their home, and wish to produce puppies to live in the home, whether that be with the breeder, or with the potential home the puppy will go to.
Many of the tips above are good. However, many reputable breeders DO NOT take deposits. They cannot know accurately the number of puppies to be born, even with ultrasound or x-ray…and don’t know whether all will be born alive, how many will survive after birth, and you certainly don’t know which will be competition or performance quality until they are older. Deposit to me, means I’m simply producing a puppy for sale. First come, first serve. Leave a deposit, get the next puppy. Not puppies for evaluation, or for careful consideration of matching home to puppy.
I also want to point out that yes, reputable breeders will have generations of health testing and genetic information. But remember, it is only a tool to help determine which dogs carry the “least chance” of carrying specific genetic issues, but far from being able to “guarantee” such. Yes, reputable breeders will provide contracts and guarantees for certain conditions for a certain period of time, but just because a breeder has multiple generations of health testing, doesn’t mean that problems won’t occur. Genetics is NOT NOT NOT an exact science. Case in point. My vet used to breed German Shepherd Dogs. Eastern German imports. Would absolutely NOT breed any individual dog that did not have a good or excellent hip score. Didn’t matter how nice, beautiful, or temperamentally sound the dog was, without the hip score, they were eliminated from the breeding program. After multiple generations of acceptably scored dogs, and many, many, many sound puppies over the years…he bred two excellent scored dogs and was rewarded with an ENTIRE litter that was dysplastic. These are not manufactured “widgets”, and genetics does not work that “perfectly”. So yes, you want to access breeders that are doing everything in their power to produce healthy, sound puppies. But that doesn’t mean that problems won’t occur. There is no such thing as a perfect. But yes, a breeder should be able to provide health records for all their dogs, and be able to give their veterinarian as a reference for health history. And they should remain a reliable resource for the duration of the life of your puppy.

WolfHaunt

You forgot to mention people who breed designer mutts for profit, worst BYBs ever…

Kimberly

THOUSANDS of dogs are killed in this country EVERY DAY because no one wants them. There is no legitimate reason to let your pet produce a litter. There are hundreds or THOUSANDS of homeless dogs in your area- STOP BREEDING MORE! Brian, If you aren’t willing to pay a shelter for a dog you are perpetuating the problem. That money is to take care of the THOUSANDS of dogs they have, you should be supporting the shelters instead of badmouthing them.

Brandon Braddy

Reputable breeders only breed to better the particular breed. They dont wait for deposits and most dont offer the pups for sale at all. Any person having a litter only for profit is a byb or puppy peddler.if all you want is a family pet your best bet is a shelter, paying thousands of dollars for a pure bred family pet is a bit insane…but if you have the money to blow go for it. In my opinion the only reason one NEEDS a purebred dog is if they are planning to work the dog for what it was created for ; herding, hunting, sledding. But I will say I am totally against one person telling another person what they should do based on opinion. It’s everyones individual right to get whatever dog dog from wherever they decide to get it. Telling someone not to go to a byb for a pup, because the majority end up in the shelter is wrong. Because you your opinion is that bybs peddle substandard dogs why would you tell me to get on from a shelter? These post do better if you take a strictly Informative standpoint. The writer of this post obviously doesnt know hiw a legitimate breeder operates. Which is fine, its a close knit community. But dont pretend to know and pass opinion for fact.
Ok, rant over.

tank

Its not the the breeder bringing them to the shelter its the person who bought the pup. Proper breeders just better the breed and make sure you have love and quality going to your house. Its not there fault you gave your dog up. Look in the mirror mother fuckers quit blaming you these problems on breeders.

tank

Funny another thing most these statistics are bs a good breeder as the article put will have years of experience. I bought my dog tank from a first time breeder they were ukc registered they had puppy contracts breeding contracts for preventing over populating. Had health records parents on site. Have one litter a year they did a back round check. It was easier to get a dog from the shelter then it was a first time breeder shelters just hand them dogs out to who ever.

Mike Carter

All dogs deserve good homes regardless of where they come from. Mistreatment of animals is totally unacceptable and also against the law. The problem is that law enforcement of existing laws doesn’t happen.I strongly believe if law enforcement actually did their jobs and state inspectors went after the worst of the worst and punished these people that neglect and abuse these animals that would be a start. If you are a breeder one thing you can do is adopt a rescue dog also. ask your friends to adopt rescue dogs and support the rescue of your breed. Do thorough background checks on the people buying these dogs Get a vet reference if available. YOU are bringing into the world. Keep your puppies healthy

asheo

a lot of reputable breeders post ads on kijiji here, they breed without having any families lined up, they don’t accept deposits before puppies are born, they don’t all take back unwanted dogs, some have them fixed at 8 weeks old before they go to their new families which isn’t a good idea… and YES they are “reputable” breeders… they do all of the testing and show their dogs… just not very ethical ones! 😛
On the other hand, I know of BYBs that are very picky about the families they sell to, they sell with a non-breeding contract and they take any dog back without question if the families cannot keep them as they don’t want them to end up in rescues, they want to stay in contact and actually even put it in the contract that you HAVE to give them updates at least *insert number of times per year*… they aren’t all bad!
Wherever you choose to get your dog, choose wisely!